The government ministers' trip to Germany, which was scheduled for Monday, has been called off due to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's
illness.
The Prime Minister's Office said in a statement issued Sunday evening, "The prime minister felt unwell this evening. His doctor, Zvi Herman Berkowitz, diagnosed a viral infection and mild fever. Dr. Berkowitz recommended that the prime minister rest at home.
"In a consultation between the Prime Minister's Office and the office of German Chancellor Angela Merkel it was decided to postpone the two governments' joint meeting to January."
Sources close to the prime minister denied claims that the trip was cancelled due to an impending prisoner exchange deal
between Israel
and Hamas.
An official at the PM's Office reported that Netanyahu had begun feeling unwell in the morning hours, but took part in a Likud minister's meeting and in the weekly cabinet meeting. In the afternoon, the prime minister delivered an address
at the Eilat Journalism Conference despite his condition.
While flying back from the southern city the prime minister complained of pains, and he was examined by his personal doctor upon landing. The doctor recommended that Netanyahu remain in Israel in order to recover from the illness.
Prime minister on Sunday morning. Looking ill? (Photo: Reuters)
The prime minister's advisor, Uzi Arad, telephoned senior officials in the German chancellor's office after it was decided that the prime minister and his entourage would not be able to arrive in Berlin as planned. The German officials consulted Merkel and decided not to hold the meeting between the two governments without the prime minister.
The PM's Office suggested that Vice Premier Moshe Ya'alon would head the delegation instead of Netanyahu, but the Germans politely rejected the offer and suggested that the delegation arrive in January.
The ministers were scheduled to leave for Berlin on Monday morning. The planned visit would have included a meeting between Merkel and Netanyahu, a visit to the Holocaust Memorial in the German capital, a joint cabinet meeting and a joint press conference, after which the ministers of the two governments were slated to enjoy a meal together.
About two months ago, the prime minister underwent
a colonoscopy procedure in the digestive system and a cystoscopy in the bladder at the Hadassah Ein Kerem Hospital in Jerusalem.
About a year and a half ago, Netanyahu underwent a routine colonoscopy procedure in which a small polyp was discovered. It was removed and found to be non-malignant. According to the test's medical protocol, Netanyahu was ordered to repeat the same tests within 18 months.
Attila Somfalvi contributed to this report
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